Living in Peace with God and Man

Luke 12:49-59

Christ Brings Division

49 "I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! 51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

Discern the Time

54 Then He also said to the multitudes, "Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming'; and so it is. 55 And when you see the south wind blow, you say, 'There will be hot weather'; and there is. 56 Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?

Make Peace with Your Adversary

57 "Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right? 58 When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite."

Jesus calls us to unconditional commitment in following Him.  He told us plainly that those who are called out to Him will not always have the rest of their family members join along with us as the household of Cornelius in Acts 11:13-14 and the Philippian jailer in Acts 16:31-33 for salvation in hearing and receiving the repentance to eternal life in Christ.  He instead told the uncomfortable truth that many families would be divided by the gospel, not united.  This division would also be with great conflict in the opposition as laid out in children against parents and in-laws.  He did not promise to bring peace to all on earth as in our families, but rather peace with God in Himself (Romans 5:1) because the gospel is intended to bring reconciliation with our Father in heaven with no promise of that same peace with one another, even in our own households.  To expect or demand that everyone in our families be saved is to ignore the calling of God for the sheep whom He chose from the beginning (Ephesians 1:4) by forcing our loved ones into a false hope of association with Christ without the transformative power of regeneration worked by His drawing (John 6:44, 10:26-28) them to Himself.  God alone gives faith for opening eyes and hearing ears; all our efforts to bear witness of this grace of the gospel will fall ineffectually on the hearts of family members unless they are being called as the chosen.  May we learn to understand this hard truth and not become discouraged when not everyone in our family comes to truly know Him.   The Lord then went on to discuss discernment not only of this, but also discernment of the times of salvation and ultimate judgment to come on all people of the world at the end of time and bringing in of His kingdom to a new earth in a new creation of all things.  We are quick to show our learning and under of the weather but fail to see what is written in scripture being reflected in the world around us as His work unfolds before us.  He further tells us in light of these conflicts and misunderstandings to judge what is right and deal grace with one another instead of adding to the conflict with lawsuits as we hold ou accountable for our actions.  We are to settle with those set against us instead of resisting (Matthew 5:39, Proverbs 20:22, Romans 12:17-19, 1 Corinthians 6:7) bit blessing your enemies instead (1 Peter 3:9) of enacting retribution to get back at them.  We will answer for that here and in eternity when the books are opened (Revelation 20:12-13).  Fortunately, we who are His are not eternally condemned but do still lose our rewards which could have given glory to God instead (1 Corinthians 3:14-15).  May we then consider all these things and commit to unconditionally follow Jesus as He tells us without empty hopes or disagreements or disobedience in living at peace with God and man (Romans 12:17-19).